It has been over two weeks since UIC has been on the courts, but the Flames will make up for lost time with a doubleheader Sunday.  First, the team will host its home opener at XS Tennis when it welcomes Eastern Illinois for a 1:00 pm first serve.  Later, the group will travel a short distance north to match up with Northwestern at 7:00.

The Flames had several matchups against the Panthers last fall at the River Forest Collegiate Invitational.  Niko Wasilewicz defeated Freddie O'Brian, Johan Hedstrom took down Logan Charbonneau, Kasper Parlklo topped Gage Kingsmith, William Wale bested Luka Knieling, Alvaro de la Fuente and Piotr Lada each beat Lucas Menegium.

UIC is on a three match winning streak against EIU, having beaten them in each of the last three seasons.  The Flames have never defeated Northwestern.

Flames to Watch

• Kailash Panchapakesan is on a two-match singles winning streak.  He has taken down rivals from Chicago State and DePaul, losing only a combined four games in his four victorious sets.
• Anthony Nguyen owns a singles win recently, also claiming victory over Chicago State.
• Johan Hedstrom and Kasper Parlklo will be bringing momentum on the doubles court into this weekend's matches.  They have won two straight and are the Flames' winningest duo on the young season.

Last Time Out

• Early momentum went DePaul's way in a 6-1 Blue Demons win on February 2.
• Hedstrom and Parlklo won their #2 doubles set, and the Flames had match point on the #1 court.  DePaul rallied for a 7-5 win there and a 6-4 win at #3.
• With wins in the numbers 1, 2, and 3 matches to lead off singles play, DePaul clinched the win.
• Panchapakesan salvaged a point for UIC with a 4-6, 6-0, 6-1 win.

Scouting Eastern Illinois

• Eastern Illinois picked up two wins, over Wright State and St. Francis, last Sunday.  They lost to Valparaiso Friday, bringing their record to 6-5.
• Mike Jansen leads the team with six singles wins and a 6-3 record.  He has played exclusively in the #2 flight.
• Logan Charbonneau and Freddie O'Brien each have five singles wins.
• Jansen and Daniel Hernandez are a perfect 6-0 at #2 doubles.  Charbonneau and O'Brien sport a 6-0 record at #3.

Scouting Northwestern

• Northwestern has won five of their last six matches.
• Trice Pickens had two singles wins last Sunday in the Wildcats' wins over Purdue and Chicago State.
• Nick Brookes and Simen Bratholm likewise picked up two doubles wins on Sunday.
• The match will be the nightcap for Northwestern as well.  The Wildcats will play Ball State Sunday afternoon.